Switch construction.



H. W. CHENEY.

SWITCH GONSTRUGTION.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 25, 1905 91 7,542, Patented Apr. 6, 1909.

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APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1905.

Patented Apr. 6, 1909.

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SWITCH CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1905.

Patented Apr. 6, 1909.

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SWITCH CONSTEUGTION.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1905.

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HERBERT W. CHENEY, OF NORWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BULLOCK ELECTRICMANU- FACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 26, 1905.

Patented April 6, 1909. Serial No. 275,818.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT W. CHENEY, citizen of the United States,residing at Norwood, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in- Switch Constructions,of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates'to switches or circuit-breakers, and particularlyto oil switches or circuit-breakers of the vertically movable plungertype.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a switch orcircuit-breaker which will be simple in construction, effective in itsoperation and which can be operated either manually or automatically.

elements which will be fully A further, object is to provide anoperating mechanism which will be simple and efi'ective either formanual or automatic operation.

A further object is to provide a means for preventing sparking betweenthe stationary contacts, and between the auxiliary contacts or arcingtips and the main contacts.

A further object is to provide a means for adjusting the position of thecore of the tri ing magnet so that the switch or circuitreaker may beopened at any desired load or am erage.

till further objects will appear as my device is described in detail.

My invention consists in certain novel details of construction andcombination of described in the following s ecification an set forth inthe ap ended c aims.

or a more complete understanding of my invention reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in whichFigure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved switch attached to aswitch-board the section being taken along the lines 11 or Fig, 2,parts. being broken away for the sake of clearness; Fig. 2 is a plan'view of the same on a reduced scale, parts being broken away; Fi 3 is asectional elevation some what sim' ar to Fig. 1, showing the switch inits open position after having been operated manually; Fig. 4 is adetailed sectional elevation of the switch operating mechanism in theposition after the switch has beenopened automatically; Fig. .5 is apartial front view of the switch-board to the rear of which my switch isconnected; this view shows particularly my tripping magnet core-adjustinmechanism; Fig. 6 is an enlarged section elevation of the adjustable triping mechanism, the section being taken a on the line 6% of Fig. 3;Fig.7 is a sectional pl an of my bridging switch contact along the line7-7 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 8 is a diagram of the connections for thetripping magnet on a fourpole two-phase switch.

At 1, I have shown a portion of a switchboard panel, to which my switchis attached. A supporting frame 2 has a vertical portion adapted to beattached to the panel by bolts 3 and a horizontal rearwardly extendingportion. I have shown a four- )ole switch, but I desire it to beunderstood that my invention is not limited to such a switch. Suspendedon the under side of the horizontal portion of the bracket are four oiltanks 4, one for each pole. Each tank is removably supported by means ofa hook 5 at one end of the tank and a pivoted bolt 6 and wing-nut at theother end of the tank, the bolt fitting in a slot 7 in the edge of thebracket. For convenience in removing the tanks each of the latter isprovided with a swinging handle. 8, ivoted in a lug 9 to which likewisethe loc in bolt 6 is pivoted. Each tank is made oi tightl and is linedwith suitable insulating materia Extending down into the tank throughthe supporting frame are in this case eight porcelain bushings 10 whichare cemented or babbitted to removable plates 11 which plates are inturn bolted or screwed to the frame. These bushings are arranged inpairs, one pair extending into each oil tank'as is indicated in Fig. 2.Secured in each of the bushings preferably by cement 12 are the longarallel vertical contact-rods 13. Each of t e contact rods are threadedat the top and connected to threaded terminals 14 of the main leads bysleeves 15. Fitting over the connections and extending into the bushingsare the insulating sleeves 16. These sleeves may be moved at will alongthe main leads to expose the connections in case it is desired todisconnect the terminals. Connected to the lower end of each contact-rodin any suitable manner is a stationary contact '17 preferably made ofcopper or brass. Each stationary contact carries an auxiliary contact 18which is adapted to be engaged by the arcing tip on the bridgingcontact. Each of the bridging Contacts consists of a bundle of laminae20,

the distance of the contacting face of each lamina to its point ofsupport being the same as that of the other laminae, to equalize thepressure of all laminae against the stationary contacts. The laminae areheld to the base 19 of the bridging contact by bolts 21, and nuts 22,The number of laminae held between the nuts 22, 22 can be changed atwill. The bolts extend upward and engage the cap 23 which in turn issecured to the downwardly extending arm 24 which arm extends. upwardlythrough the cover and connects with the operating mechanism presently tobe described. By turning the bolts 21 the position of the bridgingcontact can be adjusted vertically. Furthermore, if desired, the cap 23may be secured to the arm 24 by a pin 25, in such a manner as to allow aslight pivotal movement in order that the pressure on the contacts atthe right and left of the vertical sup orting rod 24 may be equalized.At eacli end of the base 19 and pivoted thereto is an arm 26 forsupporting the arcing tips 27. Each of said arms is yieldingly pressedupward by s ring 19 so that there will be a slight yiel ing movement ofthe arcing tips relative to the base as they engage and leave thestationary contacts 18. In opening the switch the laminae first leavethe main contacts and the current momentarily passes across theauxiliary contacts as is well known. In order that there may be goodcontact between the arms 26 and base 19, I connect the arts by flexibleshunts 19*. In order that tliere may be no arcing between the laminaeand auxiliary contact 18 or between the arcing tip 27 and mainstationary contacts, when the circuits are broken, I interposedownwardly extending barriers or separators of insulating and areresisting material 28 between the stationary contacts 17 and 18. Thesebarriers extend down a sufficient distance to protect the contacts asthe switch is opened. I also interpose between the main stationarycontacts 17, 17 insulating barriers or plates 29, which extend almostthe width of the tanks. These barriers are mounted on the verticalsupporting arm 24 in such a manner that they Wlll be interposed betweenthe contacts 17 when the arcing tips leave the contacts 18.

I will now describe my improved operating mechanism whereby the switchcan be opened automatically or by hand. The operating handle 30 isivoted at 31 in front of the switch-board an hasan arm 32 extending atright angles thereto. The arm 32 is pivoted at 33 to the rearwardlyextending arm 34. These two arms constitute a tog gle. Pivoted to thearm 34 at 35 is an arm 36 which in turn ispivoted at 37 to an arm 38which is secured to the long horizontal rod 39. This rod 39 extendsnearly'the length of the switch bracket and o erates two sets oftoggles, one arm of one 0 which is shown at arms 34 and 36 must normallybe locked together. The locking device is simple, consisting of a smallbell-crank 44 pivoted on arm 34 at 45. The bell-crank is provided with ahook 46 that engages a nose 47 on an extension of the arm 36. A spring48 normally holds the hook and nose in engagement. Thus when the oerating handle is forced downward, the togg es and locked connectingmember will hold the switch firmly closed. .The switch can be opened byhand by lifting the handle to the position shown in 1 Fig. 3. It will beseen from Figs. 1 and 3 that the arms 34 and 36 continue locked, both inthe open and closed position of the switch, when the latter is operatedmanually.

In order that the switch may be opened automatically I provide a triping device which will unlock or break t e arms 34 and 36 and permit theswitch to fly into the open position. My tripping device consists of amagnet coil 49 and core 50 which on overload is adaptedto be raised andto strike the rearwardly extending arm 51 of the bellcrank holding latchand release the nose of the arm 36. I have provided a tripping magnet,which consists in this case of two separate coils 49 and 49 eachpreferably connected to a separate transformer 50 and 50 in the circuitof each phase as is diagrammatically' shown in Fig. 8. Thus iftheoverload occurs in. the circuit of either hase, the core will be raisedand the switc thrown. A similar arrangement using two tripping coils maybe employed in connection with a three-phase circuit.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the position of the switch operating mechanismafter the switch has been automatically opened. It will be noted thatthe arms 34 and 36 are in theirunlocked or broken position, the togglesconnected to the levers 42 having moved the arms from the closed oralined position as shown in Fig; 1 to the position shown in Fig. 4. Themovement of the arms 34, 36 and of the .toggles, as'just described,would not disturb the position of the operating handle and therefore inorder to indicate that the switch has been automatically opened I haverovided a spring 51 on the arm 34, w 'ch spring is normally free fromtension, but when the switch is opened automatically, arm 34 assumes aposition shown in Fig.4, and with the handle 30 in the position shownvertical in Fig. 4, and with the handle'80 in the position shown in Fig.1 brings the spring intothe closed position. It will be seen that thecenters 31, 33, and 37 0f this toggle are almost on a line, when theswitch is closed. The principal function of the toggles connected to thelever arm 42 is to assist in opening the switch quickly when the arms 34and 36 have been unlocked, to provide a long throw of the switch handleand a proper distribution of force along the nth which the switch handletraverses, and also to insure increased leverage when engagement betweenthe contact members takes lace. When the switch is closed the pivotecenters 33, 35, and 37 of thearms 34 and 36 are almost on a line, sothat there is very little strain on the holding latch. Thus a verysensitive trip is rovided.

I have provi ed a novel magnet-core a'djusting mechanism by means ofwhich the core can be so adjusted that the switch .will

be thrown at any desired load. The magnet core rests on a shoe 53 whichengages two guide pins 54. A crank 55 connect.- ed to the shaft 56engages the lower face of this shoe and determines itsheight andconsequently the height of the magnet core. The shaft 56 extends throughthe switch panel and is connected with the crankhandle 57 on the frontof the switch-board. This handle has a rearwardly extending pin 58 whichis adapted to engage any one ofa number of holes in the sector plate 59.Thus the handle can be withdrawn from a hole and swung either to theright or left and locked at any desired position. the handle to theright or left raises or lowers the crank-arm which engages the shoe.Thus on swinging the handle the shoe is moved verticallyon the guidepins and the core is moved to any desired height. In the positionshownin Figs. 1 and 6,;the core is at its lowest possible position, andin Fig. -5 at its middle or half-way position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure byLetters Patent is- 1. In a switch, switch operating mechanismincluding pluralities of interconnected members comprising a toggle anda series of links and levers, one of said members being com holding saidhinged parts in locked position The swinging of osed of two hingedparts, means for when the switch is closed and when opened manually, andmeans for automatically unlocking said parts for automatic operation.

2. In a switch, switch operating mechanism comprising a toggle, one ofthe arms of which consists of two normally locked hinged arms, means forholding the hinged arms in locked positionwhen the switch is closed andwhen opened manually, and means for automatically unlocking the arms.

3. In a switch, switch operating mechanism comprising two sets of togglearms, one of said toggle arms being in two parts forming a collapsiblemember, means for holding the parts of said collapsible member in alocked position when the switch is closed and when operated manually,and means for unlocking or breaking the parts of said collapsible memberwhereby the switch may be opened automatically.

4. In a switch, switch operating mechanism comprising a toggle, one ofthe arms of said toggle having two parts forming a. collapsible member,means for holdingZs'aid parts in locked engagement when the switch isclosed and when operated manually, means for automatically unlockingsaid parts to open the switch, and a second toggle connected to thefirst named toggle.

5. In a switch, a stationary and movable contact, switch operatingmechanism including two sets of toggles, one of said toggles havingconnected thereto an operating handle and serving to hold the othertoggle in its cramped or distended position, one of the toggle armsconsisting of two hinged parts, means for holding said hinged parts inclosed or locked position, and means for breaking or unlocking saidparts to open the switch automatically.

6. In a switch-operating mechanism, a pair of toggles connected-togetherso that force is transmitted from one to the other, one of said toggleshaving a collapsible arm, an operating handle connected to one of saidtoggles, whereby said toggles can be cramped or broken at will, meansfor holding the parts of said collapsible arm in locked position whenthe switch is closed and when opened manually, and means for collapsingsaid arm to break the toggles automatically.

7. In a switch, an operating mechanism comprising an operating handlehaving one position when the switch is closed, a second position whenopened manually, and an intermediate posltion when opened automatically,means for causing said switch to be opened automatically, and a springfor moving said handle from its normal closed position to theintermediate position to indicate that the switch is open.

8. In a switch operating mechanism, an o ierating handle having oneposition when the switch is closed, a second position when openedmanually, and an intermediate position when 0 'ened'automatically, meansfor ,automaticaly tripping the mechanism to 0 en the switch, andseparate means for t rowing said handle from its closed position to theposition intermediate its closed and open positions to indicate that theswitch has been opened automatically.

9. In a switch, an operating mechanism therefor comprising a toggle andtwo hinged collapsible arms, means for holding the arms in lockedposition during manual operation, and means for collapsing said arms forautomatic operation.

10. In a switch operating mechanism, two normally locked hinged arms,means for locking said arms during manual operation, said meanscomprising a bell-crank latch, and means for collapsing said arms tooperate the switch automatically.

11. In a switch operating mechanism, comprising a bell-crank and atwopart breakable or collapsible arm, means for locking said partsduring manual operation, said means comprising a pivoted latch, atripping magnet, and a movable core therefor for strikingsaid latchwhereby the arm will collapse and the switch will be opened.

12. In a switch, a pair of stationary con tacts, a laminated bridgingcontact, a movable plunger for operating said contact, a memberpivotally secured to the lower end of said plunger, means for securingsaid bridging contact to said pivoted member comprising a pair of spacedthreaded bolts which pass through the bridging contact, and means foradjustingthe latter on said bolts.

13. In a switch, a pair of stationary contacts, a bridging contactcomprising a group record of the case in the Patent Ofice.

[SEAL] torrection in Letters Patent No. 917,542.

of laminae, a base on which the lamina; are mounted, auxiliary contactmembers ivotally mounted on the base, a movable p unger for o cratingsaid bridging contact, and a mem er pivotally secured to the lower endof said plunger, said bridging contact being adjustably secured to saidpivoted member.

14.. In a switch, an operating mechanism comprising an operating handlehaving one position when the switch is closed, a second. position whenthe switch is opened manually, and a third position intermediate theother positions when the switch is opened automatically, a pair ofnormally locked hinged links or arms, one of which is connected to said0 crating handle, means for unlocking said inks to cause the switch toopen automatically, and additional means for causing the shifting of thehandle to the intermediate position to indicate. that the switch isopen.

15. In a switch, a switch operating mechanism comprising a toggle, anoperating handle having one position when the switch is closed, a secondposition when the switch is opened manually, and. a third position whenthe switch 1s opened automatically and a pair of normally interlockedarms connecting the toggle and handle, means for unlocking said arms tocause the'switch to open automatically, and additional means forshifting the handle to said third position to indicate that the switchis open.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

HERBERT W'. CHENEY.

Witnesses:

SANFORD KLEIN, FRED J. KINSEY.

upon the application of Herbert W. Cheney, of Norwood, Ohio, for animprovement in Switch Constructions, an errorappears in the printedspecification requiring correction, as follows: On page 3, lines ,1 and2, the words in Fig. 4, and with the handle 30 in the position shownshould be stricken out; and that the said Letters Patent should be readwith this correction therein that the same may conform to the Signed andsealedthisllth dayof May, A. D., 1909.

s. B. MOORE,

Conwnissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 917,542, granted April6, 1909,

